Music can be a great way to get out of poverty. This certainly applies to the Brazilian jazz singer-pianist Tania Maria. Maria's father was a metalworker and a talented amateur musician. He encouraged his daughters to pursue a musical career. At the age of seven, Maria learned to play the piano so she could accompany her father. Despite her musical talent, Maria initially chose to study law, but to
… no avail: the love for music won. Her first album, Olha Quem Chega, was released in 1971. In the 1970s Maria moved to Paris and finally to New York in the 1980s. She achieved her first international commercial success in 1984 with Come With Me. Maria has a beautiful full, deep voice and excellent piano technique. The music on the album Intimidade is a mix of exotic Brazilian rhythms and relaxed jazz harmonies. Her combo includes master bassist Eddie Gomez and percussionist Mestre Carneiro. In addition to her own compositions, Maria performs the well-known folk songs Besame Mucho and Agua De Beber. (SvdP)more
